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Ru Alloying Induced Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance in FeSi2-Based Compounds
Xiaolong Du1,2, Ping Hu1,2, Tao Mao1,2
1State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure , Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 200050 , China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|August 13, 2019
Summary
Ruthenium alloying in cobalt-doped iron disilicide (β-FeSi₂) significantly reduces lattice thermal conductivity. This enhancement in thermoelectric materials leads to a 27% increase in the figure of merit (zT).
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid State Physics
- Thermoelectrics
Background:
- Iron disilicide (β-FeSi₂) is a promising thermoelectric material.
- High lattice thermal conductivity limits its thermoelectric performance.
- Alloying is an effective strategy to reduce thermal conductivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Ruthenium (Ru) alloying on the thermoelectric properties of Cobalt (Co)-doped β-FeSi₂.
- To optimize the composition for improved thermoelectric performance.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of a series of Ru-alloyed Fe₀.₉₄₋ₓRuₓCo₀.₀₆Si₂ samples.
- X-ray characterization to confirm the crystal structure.
- Elemental mapping to analyze Ru distribution.
- Measurement of thermal and electrical transport properties.
Main Results:
- All samples crystallized in the β-FeSi₂ structure.
- Ruthenium alloying effectively reduced lattice thermal conductivity by disrupting phonon transport.
- Electrical transport properties were minimally affected by Ru alloying.
- An inhomogeneous Ru distribution was observed in Fe₀.₈₉Ru₀.₀₅Co₀.₀₆Si₂, attributed to phase formation and diffusion kinetics.
Conclusions:
- Ruthenium alloying is a viable method to enhance the thermoelectric performance of Co-doped β-FeSi₂.
- The optimized composition Fe₀.₈₉Ru₀.₀₅Co₀.₀₆Si₂ achieved a maximum figure of merit (zT) of 0.33 at 900 K.
- This represents a significant improvement over the undoped Co-doped β-FeSi₂ matrix.
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